Explain how Muslims may find meaning in signs in the natural world.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2023). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [10] Muslims link everything in everyday life to part of God's predestined plan, so they see signs in everything. For example, Muslims say thanks to God, alhamdulilah, for food, and after any good news, because it is seen as a good sign that God has given them something for their life. The same is true if they see a beautiful scene in nature: subhanallah for what God has given.
2. [10] Muslims might see the beauty of the natural world as inspiration for their faith. Signs might make a Muslim thankful for the food and fruits which God has given them and see their provision as a sign of what God has given.
3. [10] The Qur'an encourages Muslims to look at signs in the natural world and think about them, because they have been sent by God to help Muslims strengthen their beliefs. For example: He doth regulate all affairs, explaining the signs in detail, that ye may believe with certainty in the meeting with your Lord. Qur'an 13:2, and Behold! in these things there are signs for people who believe. Qur'an 6:99
4. [10] In Qur'an 41:53 it refers to signs in the universe and people's own bodies.
5. [10] Muslims might read about the teachings of the philosophers who observed the natural world and its signs, and derived meaning from them, using reasoning.
6. [10] For example, Ibn Tufayl wrote about deriving belief using signs from the natural world.
7. [10] Muslim philosopher Ibn Sina wrote on the importance of reasoning.
8. [10] Muslims are expected to be guardians/viceregents of the world which God has created, so they might interpret environmental problems as signs that humanity has neglected this duty. Such signs might be interpreted as a warning to change polluting ways and take action to preserve the environment.
9. [15] Definitions: Signs in the natural world might include the beauty of nature; natural events such as earthquakes and weather storms; eclipses of the moon or sun; and the results of things humans do as manifested in the environment around them.
10. [15] Agree: Revelations may refer specifically to the Qur'an, which contains some verses which are clear and some which may appear less clear (according to the Qur'an itself, Qur'an 3.7).
11. [15] Agree: Experience of the natural world is something all Muslims can do themselves; it is clear and all around. Muslims can see with their own eyes the natural environment and how it is sometimes damaged by human exploitation, and hear of pressing environmental campaigns, which to Muslims are important to preserve God's created world.
12. [15] Agree: Muslim philosophers such as Ibn Tufayl wrote in his novel Hayy ibn Yaqzan about how the boy Hayy worked out signs from the natural world and derived beliefs from them. He did this without the distractions of corruption from society. This suggests that following signs can be clear.
13. [15] Disagree: The revelation of the Qur'an explains to Muslims the key teachings of their faith, especially the beliefs in the oneness of God, the belief in prophethood and in life after death. These beliefs require definition and elaboration, which means it is better to use the details given in the Qur'an than other sources.
14. [15] Disagree: Revelation, particularly the Qur'an, is the first source of Islamic law (shariah) because it is the word of God for Muslims. If it is the first source of Islamic law, then it should also be used as the first source for Muslim individuals for their personal guidance.
15. [15] Disagree: There is a danger that if Muslims follow signs alone, they might come to interpretations which are not accepted by mainstream scholars. Therefore, revelations should always be used for guidance, and revelations should set the context in which Muslims look at the natural world for signs.
16. [15] Conclusions: Conclusions will come to a judgement about which way is easiest and for what reasons. The significance of this might be mentioned in the life and practice of Muslims.